System for filling containers by weight



March 13, 1951 T. A. ST. CLAIR SYSTEM FOR FILLING CONTAINERS BY WEIGHT Filed Sept. 28, 1945 IIIIIII!IIIIIIIIIIl/l IN VEN TOR.

T.A. ST. CLAIR ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 13, 1951 SYSTEM FOR FILLING CONTAINERS BY WEIGHT Theodore A. St. Clair, Bartlesville, Okla, assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application September 28, 1945, Serial No. 619,187

12 Claims.

This invention relates to container filling systems. In a more specific aspect, it relates to a high-pressure flow shut-off valve for such systems. In another specific aspect, it relates to means for filling a container on a scale and shutting off the filling liquid when the scale registers a predetermined weight.

The specific valve 25 is claimed in applicants copending divisional application, Serial No. 23,263, filed April 26, 1948. Said application has become abandoned.

In the art of filling containers with liquids, especially volatile liquids having a high vapor pressure, much time is lost watching the filling operation to prevent overfilling of the container. It is desirable, therefore, to provide an automatic scale operated filling system in which the liquid will be automatically cut off when the container has the proper predetermined contents therein.

One object of the invention is to provide a system for filling a container with a predetermined weight of liquid.

Another object is to provide a valve suitable for use in such a system which will operate properly to cut off the liquid.

Another object is to provide a low investment,

low operating cost, accurate and durable auto-' matic shut-off valve for filling pressure vessels by weight.

Another object is to provide a simplified system which can be attached to any standard make of scale.

Another object is to provide a cut-off valve without packing glands and which has balanced diaphragms for high sensitivity.

Another object is to provide a system which when attached to a scale will not interfere with normal manual weighings and in which the scale will operate as an indicating device to denote the filled or unfilled condition of the container.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the accompanying specification, claims and drawings.

Figure l is an elevational view with parts in cross-section and broken away showing a container filling system embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of Figure 1 with parts broken away and in cross-section to show details of construction of the structure shown in Figure 1, which structure embodies the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevational View of a modified form of the combined pilot and motor valve employed in the present invention.

In Figure 1, any standard type of scale generally designated as 3 may be employed for weighing container 4, which container is to be filled. For purposes of illustration, scale 3 has been shown as the usual standard platform scale having a platform 5 for supporting container 4 and a scale beam 6 provided with the usual sliding weight 1 and removable weights 8 for setting a predetermined weight on the beam scale 6. Platform 5 is connected to beam 6 by the usual system of levers and fulcrums including a pull rod 9. As is customary in such scales, an arm in is provided having a link H, arm Ill and link ll protecting beam 6 and preventing undue movement thereof. Bell crank or latch means I2 is provided for locking beam 6 in a raised position when desired.

A source of liquid is provided generally in the form of a tank l3 containing liquid l4 and, in the case of a volatile liquid, vapor l5 thereover. Tank I3 is connected to the inlet I6 of container 4 by a liquid line H. Inlet [6 may be of any desired type and any type of connection l8 may be employed. Liquid line I! may contain manual shut-01f valve IS in order to save minor amounts of liquid that might otherwise fiow out of I! when I8 is disconnected.

While source I3 may be placed at a considerable elevation in which gravity flow through line I! would be suificient, in many cases container i3 is not as favorably located. In such cases, where gravity flow is impossible, pump 26 driven by motor 2! through shaft 22 is provided in liquid line H for pumping liquid therethrough. Obviously, motor 2| may be any prime mover, but preferably is an explosion proof electric motor driven by house current and controlled by explosion proof switch 23. For purpose of simplifying the drawing, a battery 24 is shown as the source of current, but obviously other electric power sources would be cheaper and are, therefore, used.

Container I 3, of course, is supplied with a suitable inlet and with such drain valves, excess flow valves, safety valves, liquid level indicators, and other desirable or required appurtenances as may be desired on a container for the particular liquid being stored, such as methane, ethane, propane, butane, or any other liquid as may be old in the art of storing such liquids.

A combined pilot and motor valve built into a single housing and generally designated as 25 controls flow through line I! and is preferably 'fluid may be liquid, vapor, or gas.

3 placed between pump 25 and container 4. The pilot valve is plug 59 which is moved by the pilot valve actuating stem 12 to close seat 58, or alternatively to close seat 3i; while the motor valve is valve 64 actuated by a flexible diaphragm expansible-chamber motor 6!, 52, 53 and 55. To provide relief of pressure in line. ll if motor valve 52, 54 is closed and pump 25 isoperating, a return line 25 is provided leading back to tank [3 through a pressure relief valve Z'l set to relieve a predetermined excess pressure fromsaid liquid line H back to source l3.

In some instances, as when a loosely fitting centrifugal pump impeller isused in pump 25,.

return line 26 and relief valve 2'5 may beeliminated as the liquid in line ll may, upon sufl'icient pressure, escape from being pumped'by pump by passing back between the impeller and the pump housing, but it is preferred to have return line and relief valve Zl, especially if pump 2%) is of the reciprocatingtypaor some'other type of.

eflicient pump whichwill' not permit slippage of liquid.-v

In order to actuate motor valve 52; 5s, a source of fluid under. constant" pressure is provided.

less volatile, it is often desirable to have an in dependent source of. pressure fluid shown. inFige ure lby pipe 33 which leads to a sourcexof such pressure fluid (not shown) In this case, valve 25 is closed and valve 38 is open and'the' pressure Preferably, I employ compressed air as the pressure fluid from an independent source, and, ,oficourse,.this fluid is regulated by valve 32 and:passesthroughpipe'tl to motor valve 25.

If it is desired to maintain the vapor pressure in portion l5 of tank It at a predetermined amount, this may be done by heating tank IS in Various ways.

For purpose of illustration, a-water heatingfcoil is shown, the flow'of waterbeing controlled by motor valve 35 and'the position of motor; valve 35 being controlled: by pressure fluidv bulb 35 connected to a space above the diaphragm and spring (not shown) of motor valve 55'by pipe3l. Motor valves of the type of Valve 35 are'old.

Obviously, coil 34 could'be replacediby an electricalresistanc heater and valve 35' by an:elec,- trical switch controlled by'a thermostat replacing bulb 35.

In Figure 2, it will be noted that combined pilot and-motor valve housing 25 isgmountedr on top of arm it of scale 3 and the only-change thatihas to be'made in arm H! is drilling a hole 38.

Pull rod 5 ends in the conventional hook 39 which pulls'on yoke lfl which in turn pulls. on fulcrum bases 43 which are generally integral withbeam. 6. A supporting-yoke 52% hangs from bracket 43' which. is attachedto arm llliand engages a pair of fulcrum bascs't l, allo-f scale parts eeto 44 being conventional. set-screw as for positioning slide l on beam 5. and. counter weight 35 which may be rotatedoniscrew Alto-adjust the balance of the scale.

Combinedpilot and motor valve. housing 25 has a body lfi screw-threaded at -siliand wi Body 58 Also, conventional has a central cavity 5i into which projects an orifice or nozzle 52. Body 48 has two openings leading to space 5|, namely, openings 53 and 55. Opening 53 is the outlet and is connected by the downstream portion of pipe ll to valve is and cylinder 4. Opening 54 is the inlet and is connected by the upstream" portion of pipe H to pump-20'. In operation the pressure of' liquid in 54 is enough over that in 53 to force valve 55 open whenever valve 69 closes SI and vents space 55 to. the atmosphere. through tube 58, as the pressure on 56 is always atmospheric due to the central hole in the end of 59. Fitting around orifice 52 and .slidable' relative thereto is a yoke 55 to which is screw-threaded a nut 55, washer 5i, and flexible diaphragm 58. Any other suitable means of securing flexible. diaphragm 58 would be within the scope of my invention.

To secure flexible diaphragm 58 in place, a cover plate 59 may be employed; but, obviously, cover plate 59 may be eliminated and merely threaded sleeve 60' employed as: shown sleeve 55 holding 59 in place, but, as-suggested, sleeve would. directly contact diaphragm 55.

When this portionof the device has been assembled, flexiblediaphragm 6! maybe similarly secured by nut 52 and relate'd'parts to valve plate 63. Valve plate 53shas a sealing insert 54 which seats on orifice" 52 acting: as a valve head and forming a valve therewith. With diaphragm 55 secured, plate 53 is secured onto yoke 55. andthen bonnet GEE-is put in place and secured'by any suit-- able means suchas a threaded cylinder 55;

Bonnet containsaa-chamber te from which T-shaped passage 57' leads toan inlet pipe all (also shown inFigure l) and. anatmospheric vent .pipe 68, pipes 31 and 58 formingtwobranches of the T and providingvalve seats forapilot valve 59nto alternately seat upon. The pilot valve 59 is preferably madeof atplug of synthetic rubber.

Connected .tochamber' 55 at any point and not necessarily at the T as shown isa pipe l5 running toa pressuresgagerli, which pressure gageacts. as an indicator as towhether cylinder l is loaded or not.

To position'pilot.valver59', aipush'pin'liis'provided extending'up into-atmospheric outlet 58 and intocontact with pilot valvefiil; The lower end of push pin 72 rests on any convenient portion olscale arm- 5, or any other moving portion of the-particular type scale employed.

In general, the motor valve mechanismtand 52 is controlled by the scale beam 5 through a small pilot valve arrangementll, 59, and As shown, the pressure fi'uidfrom line 3i loads the motor valve 63*to close it. Itisobvious that'this same m'otorvalve pressure could be arranged to open the valve, opposing a spring that would normally keep the valve-closed. In such instance, push pin l2 should be on the other side of'fulcrum 4 3 in order to-close the valve by'springpressure when cylinder li wasloadedi This modification isi shown in Figure 3. As exactly. the sameparts are employed, the same reference numerals are used, with .the exception ofthe added'helicalcompression'spring fill, which holds valve 55 against and: closing seat- 52, except when overcome by pressure from line 3| pressing against diaphragm 58": and nut 55. Note-thatbonnet 55' and cover plate 59 ar'e inexchanged positionsfrom the positions they occupied in Figure 2.

Also, the valve assembly is shown mounted above the scale beam. Obviously, these'assemblies couldalsobemade below the'scale beam on opposite sides of the fulcrum 44 without departing from the scope of the invention.

Operation The operation is believed obvious.

Container 4 is placed on platform 5 and con-- nection i8 is connected so that liquid line i! will connect with inlet to and valve i9 is opened. Switch 23 is closed actuating pump 29, or if some other type prime mover is employed it is set in motion by suitable means. Then bell crank latch I2 is tripped, allowing beam 6 to swing freely. The desired weight of container 4 and desired contents have already been set by slide 7 and weights 8. Counter weight 46 has, of course, been adjusted to take into account the weight of push pin 72 resting thereon.

Weight 3 times its lever arm to 44 being greater than weight 4 times the lever arm from 4! to 44, the weight goes down carrying the opposite end 43 of scale beam 5 up forcing push pin T2 to unseat pilot valve plug 59 from seat 68 and to force it to seat on seat 3|. Flu-id in gage H and space 55 immediately escapes through atmospheric vent 68 and liquid being withdrawn from tank l3 and pumped by pump 28 through line H enters through opening 54 and orifice 52 pushing back motor valve diaphragm plate 63 and passing out opening 53 through line I! to inlet l6 and into container 4.

When container 4 contains the required weight of liquid, this weight times its lever arm balances with weight 8 times its lever arm and the scale beam 5 moves into position of Figure 2 allowing plug 59 to seat on valve seat 68. Immediately pressure fluid from 3! enters through passage 61 and pushes plate 53 to the right, into the posi tion shown, closing valve 52, 64 against the pump pressure coming in pipe 54 and atmospheric pressure coming in cap 59 and pressing against diaphragm 58. At the same time, pressure fiuid runs through pipe 18 to actuate gage 1| which indicates that cylinder 4 is filled. The only manual operation required before container 4 is disconnected from 18 is the closing of valve 19. This.

prevents flow of liquid through line [1, regardless of the position of the scale beam 6.

The pressure in space 5| is balanced as this pressure presses with equal force on diaphragms BI and 58, therefore allowing the pressure fiuid in space 6-3 and the pump pressure of the liquid in 54 to actuate the motor valve 52, 64 as controlled by plug 69.

The pressure fluid in pipe 3! may be vapor from space 15 with valve 29 open and 3i! closed. The pressure of the pressure fluid in 3! being regulated by regulator 32 and the vapor in space I 5 augmented, if necessary, by heat at 34, which heat may be controlled by 36. Or valve 29 may be closed and valve 36 opened and any source of fiuid under pressure attached to pipe 33.

While a specific embodiment of my invention has been shown for illustrative purposes, it should be obvious that numerous changes in design, proportion, and arrangement of parts, and that substitution of equivalents may be made by a mechanic skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A container filling system for filling a container having an inlet with a measured weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weigh said container, a source of said liquid having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid line connected to said liquid outlet and to the inlet of said container, 2, motor valve controlling flow in said liquid line, a pump in said liquid line between said liquid outlet and said motor valve for pumping liquid from said source to said container, a return line connecting said liquid line between said motor valve and said pump with said source, a pressure relief valve in said return line for relieving a predetermined excess pressure from said liquid line back into said source, a supply of fluid at a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inlet of the motor of said motor valve and a constant pressure controlling regula tor in said vapor line, and valve means controlled by said scale for admitting said fluid to said motor of said motor valve to close said motor valve when said container and contents reach a predetermined weight.

2. A container filling system for filling a container having an inlet with a measured weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weigh said container, a source of said liquid having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid line connected to said liquid outlet and to the inlet of said container, a motor valve controlling flow in said liquid line, a pump in said liquid line between said liquid outlet and said motor valve for pumping liquid from said source to said container, a supply of fluid at a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inlet of the motor of said motor valve and a constant pressure controlling regulator in said vapor line, and valve means controlled by said scale for admitting said fluid to said motor of said motor valve to close said motor valve when said container and contents reach a predetermined weight.

3. A container filling system for filling a container having an inlet with a measured weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weigh said container, a source of said liquid having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid line connected to said liquid outlet and to the inlet of said container, a motor valve controlling flow in said liquid line, a supply of fluid at a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inlet of the motor of said motor valve and a constant pressure controlling regulator in said Vapor line, and valve means controlled by said scale for admitting said fluid to said motor of said motor valve to close said motor valve when said container and contents reach a predetermined weight.

4. A container filling system for filling a container having an inlet with a measured weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weigh said container, a source of said liquid having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid line connected to said liquid outlet and to the inlet of said container, a motor valve controlling flow in said liquid line, a pump in said liquid line between said liquid outlet and said motor valve for pumping liquid from said source to said containena return line connecting said liquid line between said motor valve and said pump with said source, a pressure relief valve in said return line for relieving a predetermined excess pressure from said liquid line back into said source, a supply of fluid at a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inlet of the motor of said motor valve, and valve means controlled by said scale for admitting said fluid ae is, ms:

to saidl motor of? said; motor: valve to close said motor valve: when said container and. contents" reacha.predeterminedweight.

5. A; container filling- 'system forv filling; a; con:- tainerihaving. anainletwith a-measuredweight of volatilei liquid comprising .in. combination a .scale adapted. to support. and: weigh: said container, a source: of said'.liquid having a vapor: outlet and. a

liquid outlet, aliquid line connectedrto said liquid:

outlet and to th'ecinlet of saidcontainer, am'otor."

valveicontrollingtflow insaid liquid line, a pump in said liquid'nlineibetween saidliquid outletiand:

said: motor? valve. for pumping liquid: from: said sourceto. said container; a supply of fluid at a constant pressure: comprising a. vapor line con necting: said vapor outlet and. the inlet of the. motor of said motor valve,.andivalve"means con trolled by said? scale. for admitting said. fiuidv to. said motor of said motor valve to; close said. motor valve. whensaid container and contents reach a predetermined weight.

6.. Acontainer: filling system for filling a container having. an inlet with a measured Weight of volatile liquid. comprising. in. combination. a scale adapted to support and. weigh said container, a source of sald'liquid. having a vaporout let and a liquid outlet; aliquidt line. connected to said liquid outlet andto the inlet ofsaid'container, a motor valve controlling. flow in said liquidline, a supply of. fluid at a constant'ipressure comprising a. vapor line connecting said vapor outlet andthe. inlet ofthe motor of'said motor valve, and valve. means controlled by said. scale for admitting said. fluid to said motor of said-motor valve to close said motor valve when said container and contents reach a predetermined weight.

7. A container. filling. system. for filling a container having an inlet with a measured Weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to supporttand Weigh said. container, a source of said liquid having a vapor out let and a liquid outlet, a liquid line connected to said liquidoutlet and. to the. inlet ofv said con= tainer, a motor'valve. having. a fluid motor with an inlet and' an outlet,.said motoriactuating said motor valve, said motonvalve. having an open and olosed'position, means i-n'ormally biasing said motor. valve into one ofrsaidv positions; said motorvalve controlling flow'insaid liquid line, a pump in said liquid line betweensaldliquid outlet and said motor valve for pumpng' liquid from said source to said container,.a' return'lineiconnecting said liquid line-betweensaid'motor valve andisaid pump with said source, a pressurerelief valve in said-return line for relieving a pre'det'erminedexcess pressure from saidliquidiline baclcintoisaid source, a supply. of fluid:- at. a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inletof the motor of'saidmotor valve and a constant pressure controlling regulator in said vapor'line, and valve means controlled bysaid scale controlling flow of fluid in said vapor line to actuate said motor valve in combinationwith said biasing means to'open saidmotor valve whenever said.- container and contents is belowa predetermined weight and close said motor valve Whenever said container and contents exceed.said'predetermined weight.

8. A container fillingsystem for filling a con tainer having an inlet with ameasured. Weight of volatile. liquid comprising in combination a scaleadapted to. support and weigh said container, a source of'said liquid havinga vapor out let and a liquid'outlet, a liquid'lineconnected to saidliquid outlet: and totheinlet of said con tainer, a motor valve. havingsailuid' motorrwith an inlet and an outlet,.said motor actuating said motor valve, said motor valve having an open and closed position, means. normally'biasingisaid motor valve into on'e of said positions, saidmotor valve controllingflow inisaid liquidiline, a. pump in said. liquid line between said liquid outlet'anol said motor valve for pumping. liquid: from. said source to said container, a supply of fluid at: a

constant pres'sure comprisinga Vapor. line: connecting saidlvapor outlet and the inlet of I the motor of said motor valve: and a constant .pressure controlling regulator insaid vapor line, and

1 valve meanscontrolled'by said scale controlling flow offluid in-said vapor line to actuate said motor valve in combinationwith said biasing means to open said motor valve: Whenever said container andcontents is below: a predetermined weight andclose said motor valve whenever said:

container and contents exceed said predetermined weight.

9. A container: filling system for filling'acontainer. having an. inlet with a measured weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weighsaid container, a source of said liquid having a vapor outlet and-a liquid outlet, aliquid line connected to saidliquidoutIet and totheiinlet of said'container, a motor valve having a fluid motorwith an inlet'and an outletisaid motor actuating'said motor valve;- said motor valve having an open and=closed position, means normally biasin said motor valve into one ofsaid positions, said motor valve controlling flow insaid liquid line, a supply of fiuid-at-a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inlet-of the motor of said motor valve and a=constant pressure controlling regulator in said vapor line, and valve'means controlled by said scale controllingfiow offluid in said vapor line to actuate said motor valve in combination with said biasing'means to'open said motor valvewhenever said'container and contents isbelow a predetermined weight and close said motor valve whenever saidcontainer and contents 'exceed'said predetermined weight.

10. A container filling'system-for filling a con-- tainer having an inlet with a measured Weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weigh said c'on tainer, a sourceof said liquid having "a vaporoutlet and a liquid outlet, a liquidlineconnected to saidliquid outlet and to the'inlet cfsaid container; a motor valve having a fluidmotorwith an inlet and an outlet, said motor actuating said motor valve, said motor valve havingan open and closed position, means normally biasing said motor valve-into one of saidpositions, said motor valve co'ntrollingflow in said liquid line, a pump in said liquid line between said liquid outlet and said motor valve forpumping'liquidfrom said source to saidcontainer, a return-line connecting said liquid line between said motor valve and said pump with said source, a pressure relief valve insaid-returnline for relieving'a predetermined excess pressure' from said liquid line back into said source, a supply of fluid at a. constant pressure comprising a'vapor lineiconnecting said vapor outlet and'tlie inlet of the motor of said motor valve; and valve means controlled by said scale controlling fiowof fluid in said vapor line to actuate said m'otorvalve in combinationwith said biasing means to open. said motor valve Whenever said container and'contents is below a predetermined weight and close said motor valve whenever said container and contents exceed said predetermined weight.

11. A container filling system for filling a container having an inlet with a measured weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weigh said container, a source of said liquid having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid line connected to said liquid outlet and to the inlet of said container, a motor valve having a fluid motor with an inlet and an outlet, said motor actuating said motor valve, said motor valve having an open and closed position, means normally biasing said motor valve into one of said positions, said motor valve controlling flow in said liquid line, a pump in said liquid line between said liquid outlet and said motor valve for pumping liquid from said source to said container, a supply of fluid at a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inlet of the motor of said motor valve, and valve means controlled by said scale controlling flow of fluid in said vapor line to actuate said motor valve in combination with said biasing means to open said motor valve whenever said container and contents is below a predetermined weight and close said motor valve whenever said container and contents exceed said predetermined weight.

12. A container filling system for filling a container having an inlet with a measured weight of volatile liquid comprising in combination a scale adapted to support and weigh said container, a source of said liquid having a vapor outlet and a liquid outlet, a liquid line connected to said liquid outlet and to the inlet of said container, a motor valve having a fluid motor with an inlet and an outlet, said motor actuating said motor valve, said motor valve having an open and closed position, means normally biasing said motor valve into one of said positions, said motor valve controlling flow in said liquid line, a supply of fluid at a constant pressure comprising a vapor line connecting said vapor outlet and the inlet of the motor of said motor valve, and valve means controlled by said scale controlling flow of fluid in said vapor line to actuate said motor valve in combination with said biasing means to open said motor valve whenever said container and contents is below a predetermined weight and close said motor valve whenever said container and contents exceed said predetermined weight.

THEODORE A. ST. CLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

